The cutting truth: Why you can't cut your hair on a Wednesday

[webfact]

The cutting truth: Why you can't cut your hair on a Wednesday
Prapaporn Jitmaneeyaphan



PHUKET: -- It’s almost impossible to get your hair cut in Thailand on a Wednesday.

Really, if you don't believe me, you can just go to any barber or beauty salon in Phuket next Wednesday and see if they’re open. They won’t be.

Although the superstition against getting a haircut midweek is well known by most Thais, the majority don’t actually know why they cannot get their hair cut on Wednesdays.

Twenty-six year-old Haad Yai native Pornkamol Kwangseng says that she remembers that her grandfather used to tell her that in the past His Majesty the King would like to have his haircut on Wednesdays, and therefore many hairdressers were summoned to the royal residences on this day.

It was therefore understood that ‘common people’ couldn't get a haircut on the same day as it would be seen as rather presumptuous, or that they were trying to ‘take something’ away from the King.

“My grandfather used to believe that something bad would happen if he had his haircut on that day, and that it would bring him great misfortune.”

Another explanation for ‘No Haircut Wednesdays’ derives from the common Thai idiom ‘Don't cut on Wednesdays and don't pull out on Thursdays’, (Wan put haam tad, wan paruehat haam thon).

This is because in ancient Thailand, Wednesday used to be considered the day of agriculture, a day of growing things. Hence, as cutting is the opposite to growing, it was thought it would bring bad luck.

Kannikor Rubngarm, a 28 year-old from Bangkok, also remembers her grandfather’s strict thoughts on the matter.

“He believed that cutting hair on Wednesdays was inauspicious, and thought it would bring bad luck. He often said that you would perhaps fight and quarrel with someone as a result.”

Two generations ago, Thais often thought that ‘trouble’ or weird incidents that occurred could be directly traced back to when they had had a haircut on a Wednesday.

Today though, as with many ancient attitudes and beliefs, many younger Thais are beginning to question the validity of their ancestors’ beliefs.

‘Poomie Smash’, a commenter on a popular Thai forum, recently wrote on the topic of haircuts:

“I have complied with this belief for 20 years because of ignorance. Now I know about it, I am not afraid of getting a haircut on Wednesdays any more. Fear comes from ignorance, and now that I understand I’m not scared. I understand because I did research about it.”

‘Poomie’ added that the bad luck associated with Wednesday hair cuts has not disappeared completely however.

“We are still having misfortune because some barbers and beauty salons are still closed on Wednesdays. If we really need to get a haircut, we need to go to the mall and so have to pay more for transportation.”

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/the-cutting-truth-why-you-cant-cut-your-hair-on-a-wednesday-41739.php#news-alert


-- Phuket News 2013-09-06

[thaicbr]

I would imagine the tradition has kept going purely for the fact that the barbers want a day off work. Most open Saturday and Sunday.

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE Q6

[Kerryd]

The Wednesday thing was just a ploy by Thai barbers/hair-dressers so that they could take the day off.

Everyone knew that Wednesdays were the best day to get haircuts, as the "cutters" will have recovered from the previous weekend's activities, and wouldn't yet be distracted with thoughts of the upcoming weekend. As a result, the shops were being overwhelmed by customers on Wednesdays.

Also, especially for hair-dressers, by getting their hair done on Wednesday, the ladies had a couple of days to get used to their new hairdo before the weekend (and time enough to have it changed if they decided they didn't like it).

Given enough time (and more fables), this could eventually form part of some weird religion in the (far) distant future !

[lomatopo]

Bad luck, countless threads on this subject.

Also, wearing new clothes for the first time on a Wednesday is bad luck.

Some restaurants close on the third Wednesday of each month.

There are a few more, but I can't remember them.

[webfact]

post deleted (innocent reply to it as well).

One more comment on moderation and the member gets a holiday.

/Admin

[Ianatlarge]

Bad luck never happens to me—fingers crossed.

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

so it doesnt actually tell us why, it merely speculates over a number of reasons

[JoeThePoster]

‘Poomie Smash’, a commenter on a popular Thai forum, recently wrote on the topic of haircuts

If that scoop doesn't deserve a Pulitzer, what does?

[historyprof]

I thought in ancient Thailand executions were on a Wednesday and that since that meant getting ones head cut off it was considered unlucky to have a haircut on that day.

[h90]

I would imagine the tradition has kept going purely for the fact that the barbers want a day off work. Most open Saturday and Sunday.

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE Q6

I don't recall it anymore, but I think in Austria the barbers have closed on Monday. But opens on Saturday (and???? Sunday).

[Rooo]

What I understood was, they only cut / shaved the Monks head on Wednesday.So all the barbers/ hairdressers at the temples.

[HeijoshinCool]

I'll have to inform my GF to close on Wednesdays now. She's owned her salon for a decade, and I've never heard this before.

At least I'll get to see more of her ...

[Jasun]

"don't pull out on Thursdays"

Does that explain the high number of children conceived on a Thursday?

[Stradavarius37]

I just did get my haircut on Wednesday, from the local barber - doesn't he know that he's doing it wrong??? lol

[yourauntbob]

the barber shops around my place are open on wensday, i have gotten a snip a few times.

[Bobobirdiebuddy]

Six years ago, on a Wednesday, I had my hair cut. I went home, and as I got out of the shower after washing my hair (to get rid of the loose hair), I slipped, fell onto the tile floor and sprained my shoulder. That ended my haircuts on Wednesdays in Thailand. There is already enough bad juju in this country.

[Johnniey]

Bad luck, countless threads on this subject.

 

Also, wearing new clothes for the first time on a Wednesday is bad luck.

 

Some restaurants close on the third Wednesday of each month.

 

There are a few more, but I can't remember them.

I thought everyobe knew this.

[cpofc]

In a recent thread about Books on Thai Culture I mentioned Denis Segallers, 'Thai Ways' and 'More Thai Ways', he covers this subject it in his first book.

I really do recommend these books. It is said that they are a bit dated. But Thai superstitions, traditions etc., are dated.

Disagree with the OP though. Sure you can get a haircut in the Kingdom on a Wednesday. They are all open and working where I live.

[Cyclist]

I just asked my Lao girlfriend. She says its the same in Laos.

[kannot]

Its laughable and sad in the 21st century that their are countries still believing in tripe but sadly it is, its the same with all religions too, so that reigns in most of the planet.

[Iamemjay]

My wife told me it is because that's the day of the week on which the Buddha was born, hence many of the special days at the local wats are on Wednesdays) and that is also why the monks have their heads shaved on Wednesdays - signifying rebirth etc According to her its all showing respect to the Buddha. I cannot make the connection to not cutting hair, but that is what she believes.

[johnlandy]

I would imagine the tradition has kept going purely for the fact that the barbers want a day off work. Most open Saturday and Sunday.

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE Q6

It's based on superstition. And contrary to the OP shops are open are widely available to do it, 7 days a week.

[Mosha]

A few no nos for Wednesday. bad luck to start a major project, a long journey, start building an house, get married. It's generally an inauspicious day.

[wileycoyote]

_{I'm glad ,I have a lucky Black Cat}

[Mudcrab]

As a kid in England many years ago I remember the shops used to close on Wednesday afternoons...why? Couldn't get a bar of soap let alone a haircut.

Edited September 6, 2013 by Mudcrab

[smileydude]

Sometimes the less we know the happier we are.

Superstitions are an interesting social phenomenon in that it only applies to those within that particular culture because if you weren't aware of it how it could the bad lack possibly apply??

Thai's walk under ladders all the time, open umbrellas indoors (to the aghast of foreigners) and chug along oblivious to their unfortunate fate when a black cat crosses their path.

I always thought their was some kind of common sense behind most of these wives tales that have proven to be valid. Right now I'll take the barber's day off as the most sensible. Great read!

[Globeman]

I was told a few years back by a Privy Council member that His Majesty only has one hairstylist - only one person gets special permission to touch the King's head and obviously to loom over him, which just isn't done. The councilor also said that this person is on a livable retainer and is not allowed to cut or style anyone else's hair.

[Commander Tamson]

Luckily I'm a slaphead

[dao16]

It would seem normal, though, to close midweek, since most people will be at work. Better to trade your Wednesday for a Saturday if you are a barber.

[prakhonchai nick]

In a similar vein I understand that cremations cannot be carried out on Fridays! WHY?

Edited September 6, 2013 by prakhonchai nick